Face Bubblegum...

You and Licorice do a synchronized flurry of fixing your clothes and your positions to something that looks not as degenerate as what you were actually up to, but it's obviously no use. Bubblegum has already gotten an eye-full and she's not happy. It's as though she's been possessed by the dark spirit of your stick-up-his-ass boss. "Bowie... Licorice... what did I tell the two of you about goofing off back here? There is serious work to be done and you," she pauses, pointing towards her co-worker, "are wasting the time of one of our valued employees, teaching him all the wrong lessons about what he's supposed to be doing here at the Down! And you!" This time, she turns her pointing finger to you, showing no mercy. "I made it very clear that you were not to be drawn in by her antics! Then what do I come in to find you doing?!"

Hanging your head, you repeat exactly what you were doing out loud for her, though it's embarrassing to hear it said.

"That sort of thing is for your off time, sweetie! You can't let Licorice's bad influence drag you down!" she sighs, shaking her head. "What am I going to do with the two of you?"

Having finished getting cleaned up, Licorice sits upright on the couch next to you, then presses a hand to the chest of her apron. "Bubs, this is really on me. I was just teasing the kid, you know? I don't get a lot of chances at rookies, so I was just having a little fun, that's all," she explains, hoping to laugh it off.

"This is why management calls you the Lazy Clown, Licorice! Doesn't that bother you?" she groans, throwing her hands up in frustration. "I'm concerned for you too, you know? You're throwing away bonuses, promotions, your career, all of that, goofing off all day! They already demoted you to the stock room. I don't think there's another demotion past that-- if you keep this up, you're going to be kicked out for sure! You're, what, a year younger than me, just starting into the workforce? I don't think 'failed erotic clown' looks good on a resume, sweetie! You can make a lot of money here if you try, so try!"

Licorice isn't saying anything as the rant goes off. You see now that Licorice is, above all, interested in not rocking the boat with her co-worker; she's actually quite sweet, but she's the type that always runs from conflict. Bubblegum, on the other hand, is trying to take charge. She might care in her own way, but she's made a critical mistake that's just causing her to hurt her co-manager!

Someone needs to resolve all of this... it might as well be you!

You interrupt Bubblegum's lecture by rising to your feet and raising your hand, like a student waiting to be called on. Bubblegum's shoulders droop as she's more literally thrown into the role of a nasty teacher. "Y-Yes, Bowie? Did you want to say something?"

It's hard to tell if you're making the right decision, but you can't let this go on! Hiding your nervousness, you tell Bubblegum what she needs to know: management never had an axe to grind against Licorice. They didn't change her name or decide that she was "the Lazy Clown." They didn't even **** her to work in the stock room! All of those were things Licorice decided to do on her own, so that she could help Bubblegum without weighing her down at the storefront. She'd even probably picked that name, Licorice, so that Bubblegum wouldn't have to think about chocolate all the time when they talked together. All these changes that Bubblegum perceived as management demoting Licorice were just for her sake.

Licorice's eyes look shocked under the shadow cast by her tremendous afro and her mask. She turns her eyes nervously to Bubblegum, who, in turn, looks like she's having a hard time processing all of that. "Uuuh... Bubs, I-" she starts, gesturing helplessly with her palms up in a defensive stance, before she gets cut off.

"... I never knew that, Licorice. Why didn't you tell me?" she questions, pressing her hands to her skirt with a sad frown. "I would have understood if I knew the whole story."

"I guess it was easier to run from you then beg you for help, is all," Licorice responds, now rubbing the back of her head awkwardly. "I was a sucky store-front manager. The work in the back's easier for me."

"Yes, but, you've denied yourself all sorts of opportunities. I could have taught you!" Bubblegum retorts, now looking irritable again.

"Yeah, well, suits me just fine! Only thing I've got a problem with is you hoarding all the cuties up at the front of the store." Licorice is grinning now, teasing her co-worker. "Damn, you're like a nymphomaniac or something! Let another girl have a piece some time!"

"Wha- you- you're calling me a nymphomaniac? I'm just helpful! I show all of the rookies how to do things here at the Down!"

"Oooh, you show em, alright, send every one of em outta here with their first clown card too!"

"Yeah, so?!"

"Nympho!"

"Lazy ass!"

"Candyland lookin' bimbo!"

"Take that haircut back to the 1970s!"

...

You're not sure if you made the right decision, but even though they're arguing, it seems like they're actually kind of happy. You think this is them getting along as well as they can. These two are like oil and water...

When Bubblegum finally leaves, you're alone with Licorice, who stands with her hands on her hips, watching the door. "Sugar... that was the nicest thing anybody's ever done for me, what you just did," she addresses you, smiling sweetly as she turns around to face you. "You earned my card, for sure. Let's meet up some time, clown around where Bubs isn't around to snap at us." She thanks you by reaching into her apron pocket and pulling out a business card, handing it over held between two fingers.

You accept it gratefully, telling her you're happier things will be a little nicer around here going forward. You don't need her payment-- you're just happy you could help.

At this, Licorice breaks into a laugh, leaning forward and pressing a finger to your forehead. "What you really gotta learn is negotiations, baby. I was gonna give you my card anyway! Hell, I'd have given you my card as soon as you showed up in that store room if you asked. I'm not the type that plays hard to get!" She has a bit more of a laugh at your expense, before shifting gears, moving her hand to hold your cheek while planting a syrupy sweet kiss on the other one. "Thanks again."

You touch your hand to the dark lipstick mark on your cheek, feeling a bit embarrassed.

"Ah, anyway, you ought to go see what work you can do for other clowns. As for me, I'm gonna take five."

She's taking a break now...? Doesn't she have work to do?

"Hey, I just finished employee training! Figure I earned a little break!" she guffaws, before plopping down on the couch with her back turned to you. She waves over one shoulder. "You be good out there, Bowie!"

((Gained Licorice's Card))